All the controversy surrounding Ghostbusters didn't completely scare off movie goers. Variety reports that the movie grossed USD 46 million stateside in its debut weekend, coming in second to mega-hit Finding Dory. That's a solid start, but the article goes on to say:
"Though it ranks as the best debut for a live action comedy in over a year, the film will have to show some endurance, as well as resonate with foreign audiences, to make a profit. After all, dusting off the ectoplasm was expensive, with Sony shelling out $144 million to make “Ghostbusters” and millions more to market the film. That tops what most comedies cost to produce and distribute."
Hopefully Sony will be able to make up the difference by being permitted to screen the action comedy in The Middle Kingdom.